Straight lift pumping unit



Nov. 6, 1934;

Q. MfLlVINGSTON STRA-IGHTLI'FT PUMEING UNIT FiledJune 5, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR (/Iar/s MZ/ Ms/M.

ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1934.

C. M. LIVINGSTON STRAIGHT LIFT PUMPING UNIT Filed June 5, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I A TORNEY Nov. 6, 1934- c. M. LIVINGSTON STRAIGHT LIFT PUMPING UNIT Filed June 5, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR (/Jars M 1/14)? ATTORNEY Patented Nov.

UNITED STATES PATENT 0FFlCE STRAIGHT LIFT PUMPING UNIT Charles M. Livingston, Tulsa, Okla, assignor to Albert N. Porter, Tulsa, Okla.

Application June 5, 1933, Serial No. 674,312

'lflfiiaims. I My invention relates to pumping ap aratus andv more particularly toapparatus of th walking beam type for pumping deep wells, and has for its principal object to provide for straight 5 lift, long stroke operation of the sucker rods, whereby they retain their alignment throughout the length of stroke and crystallization of the rods and wear of the tubing is eliminated.

In accomplishing this and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated wherein in the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my preferred form of pumping unit. I

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through a portion of a pumping unit, particularly illustrating the transmission gearing and motor for operating the crank shaft.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the pumping unit showing the upper end of one of the guide posts broken away to better illustrate the cam track in the other guide post to compensate for pivotal mounting of the walking beam, and whereby a straight lift of the sucker rods is provided. 7

, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the pumping unit.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of pumping unit illustrating my invention,.

as applied to a pumping jack.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view' of a further modified form of pumping unit showing the guide posts equipped with a gin pole or derrick attachment for pulling the sucker rods.

Referringmore in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a suitable foundation supporting a pair of longitudinally spaced sills 2 and 3 preferably of the channel iron type. Fixed to and supported by'the front end of the sills are spaced vertical posts 4 and 5 having grooved tracks 6 and 7 constituting guides for the front end of the walking beam, as later described.

.The posts 4 and 5 preferably comprise channel irons having their flanges 9 and 10 arranged in facing relation to form the tracks and the lower ends thereof are cut away to rest on the sills}. ,and 3, vwhile the webs 1'1 and 12 of the channels overlap the outer faces of the sills and are secured thereto by welding, or the like. The posts are retained in vertical spaced relation relatively; to each other by a connectingcross channel 13 fixed to the rear flanges 10 of the channels at a point spaced abovev the sills 2 and 3. The posts 4 and 5 are also braced in vertical The forward end of the walking beam extends 'jacent their upper ends by fastening devices 16,

and their lower ends fixed to the sills 2 and 3 by fastening devices 1'7 at a point spaced from 59 the posts.

Fixed to the rear ends of the channels 2 and 3 are bearing blocks 18-and 19 each preferably having an extended bearing on the upper flanges of the sills anddepending leg portions 20 fixed to the webs of the sills by bolts or the like. Each of the bearing blocks is provided with inwardly extending trunnions 21 and pivotally mounted thereon are pairs of legs 22 and 23. 'Each of the legs includes a channel shaped member having a bearing block 24 fixed between the flanges at the lower ends thereof and having a bearing opening for receiving the trunnions 21 and a similar bearing block 25 secured 'totheirupper ends for supporting the ends of across shaft 26, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The legs 22 and 23 are preferably retained in spaced relation by channel members 27 and 28 secured to the rear flanges thereof adjacent their upper and lower ends by suitable fastening devices 29 to provide a rigid structure and to prevent bindingof tljie bearing blocks on the trunnions and toreltain the upper bearing blocks in alignment for'sup porting the shaft 26. v k

30 designates .a walking beam, preferably of I-beam type including upperand lower flanges 31 and 32 connected by a vertical web 33. Fixed to the upper flange 31 at the rear end of the beam is a. bracket 34 having a bearing sleeve portion 35 pivotally mounted on the shaft 26 and having a laterally extending flange 36 whereby the bracket is secured by bolts 37 extending through the flanges of the I-beam, as shown'in Fig. 1.

between the vertical posts4 and 5 and mounts a bracket 38 having a sleeve portion 40 for mounting a cross shaft 41 therein and having laterally extending flanges 42 and 43 which are secured to the upper flange 31 of the walking beam by fastening devices 43'.

The ends ofxthe shaft 41 project within the tracks 6 and 7 and carry flanged rollers 44 and 45, the peripheriesof which operate against the inner faces of the flanges 9 and 10 and the annular flanges 46 thereof operate against the edges of theflanges to prevent the end faces of the rollers from wearing on the web portions 11 and 12 of the posts.

Extending-across thewalking beam at a point in advance of the carriage 38 is a cross head 47 including a rectangular bar having its ends projecting beyond the sides of the walking beam and terminating in trunnions 48 and 49 for attaching connecting rods or pitmen, later described. The cross head 47 is clamped to the upper flange 31 of the walking beam by pairs of draw bolts 50 and 51 having their headed upper ends engaging yoke members 52 supported by the ends of the cross head and having their lower ends extending inwardly downwardly toward the lower flange of the beam and to project through openings in flanges 53 on a plate 54. The plate 54 is supported in engagement with the lower flange 32 of the I-beam by nuts threaded on the bolts in engaging relation with the inner faces of the flanges 53 to draw the yoke members 52 tightly against the ends of the cross head and the plate 54 against the lower flange of the walking beam, the plate being secured to the lower flange by fastening devices 55.

The cross head is retained against longitudinal movement by an angle clip 56 having one flange 57 engaging the side of the cross head opposite to the flange 41 and its other flange secured to the upper horizontal flange of the I-beam by fastening devices 58.

Fixed to the outer end of the walking beam is a saddle block 59 secured to the flange of the Walking beam by fastening devices 60 for suspendingly supporting the polish rod 66. The

saddle block includes forwardlyextending arms 61 and 62 having groove seats 63 for the T head 64 of a fitting 65 by which the upper end of the polish rod 66 is secured to the beam, as in customary Well pumping practice.

In order to reciprocate the walking beam,.the sills 2 and 3 support a power'unit including a motor 67 having a pulley 68 on its armature shaft 69 for operating a pulley 70 on the drive shaft 71 of a transmission 72, the pulley'70 being driven from the pulley 68 by a belt 73 running thereover. The transmission 72 includes a housing 74 also supported on the beams for enclosing a suitable gearing. which, in the illus trated instance, includes a drive gear 75 on the drive shaft 71 meshing with a gear 76 that is mounted on a shaft 77. The shaft 77 is rotatably mounted in the ends of links 78 having their opposite ends pivotally mounted on the drive shaft 71 at opposite sides of the gear 75 whereby the gear-'76- is retained in meshing relation with the gear'75. I

Also fixed to the shaft 77 adjacent the gear, 76 is a pinion 79 meshing with an eccentrically mounted gear 80 on a crank shaft 81 having its ends rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in 3 the transmission casing.

The pinion 77 is retained in driving relation with the eccentrically mounted gear 80 by connecting links 81 having one end pivoted on the shaft 77 and their opposite ends pivotally mounted on a crank shaft in axial alignment with' the eccentric gear 80. The ends of the crank shaft extend beyond the side walls of the easin and mount counter-balance cranks 82 and 83, each including radially extending arms 84 hav ng a series of threaded openings 85 for mounting wrist pins 86. The arms 84 and the sucker rods are counter-balanced by weights 87 fixed to the crank arms by bolts 88, as in customary crank construction.

Pivotally mounted on the wrist'pins 86 and connecting the ends of the cross head are pitmen 89 and 90, including rods 91 having heads The ends of the pitmen are retained against lateral movement on the trunnions and wrist pins by cap screws 97 carrying washers 98 that engage the side faces of the heads and the ends of the trunnions and wrist pins respectively.

With the construction thus far described, it is apparent that rotation of the crank shaft will cause the pitmen 89 and to reciprocate the outer end of the walking beam between the posts 4 and 5 and the rollers 44 and 45 will be reciprocated in the tracks 6 and 7 with the rear end of the walking beam pivoting on the shaft 26 and the legs 22 and 23 swinging on the trunnions 21 for compensating vertical movement of the rollers 44 and 45.'

The tracks 6 and 7 retain the portion of the walking beam carrying the rollers for movement in vertical relation with the post, but unless some means is provided, the projecting end of the beam moves through a slight arc from the vertical center line of the well being pumped due to pivotal mounting of the walking beam on the shaft 26. That is, the polish rod will not move in a straight line, but the upper end thereof will be bent toward the posts 4 and 5 and the ends of the stroke causing bending of the rods and wearing thereof on the tubing so that they would soon crystalize and break. In order to compensate for this arcuate movement' on the different ends of the stroke, the tracks are formed'with curved portions 99, 100,

so arranged that the rollers move through an tening devices 102 and which has its ends extending a suflicient distance from the beam so that they will engage in notches 103 formed in the upper ends of the posts 4 and 5, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. I

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, the supporting base posts and the walking beam correspond in structure and like parts to the preferred form of invention, but the power for reciprocating the beam is supplied through a pull rod 106 from a central power unit (not shown) to a rocking beam 107 pivotally mounted on the sills 2 and 3, as now to be described.

Fixed to the beam 107 is a depending-bracket 108 having trunnions 109 pivotally mounted in bearings 110 on the sills. The rocking beam 107 is connected to the pull rod 106 by a post 111 having its lower end fixed to the beam and its upper end provided with a series of notches 112 to be engaged by a loop 113 on the end of the pull rod.

' The beam 111 is braced relatively to the forward end of the beam 107 by a bar 114 to counteract the pull of the power unit on the rod 106. The forward end of the rocking beam 107 is connected to the walking beam 30 by a pitman 115 having its ends pivotally connected with trunnions116 carried by the rocking beam and trunnions 117 carriedby the walking beam.

In Fig. 6, the upper ends of the vertical posts 4 and 5 carry a horizontal plate 118 for supporting an extension 119 carrying pulleys 120 and 121 over which suitable tackle 122 is operated when pulling the rods from the well. The extension 119 may be equipped with a suitable platform 123 for the operator who releases or applies the tackle as the rods are removed from or run into the well.

The extension 119 may be pivotally mounted on the ends of the posts 4 and 5 by a hinge connection 124 fixed to the plate 118 and to a corresponding plate 125 on the lower end of the extension, the plates being secured by bolts 126 when the extension is in functional position relative to the posts 4 and 5. The extension may also be braced by suitable guy-wires 127 when in functional position. When the extension or derrick portion is not in use, it may be swung forwardly so that the pulleys 120 rest on the ground at a point ahead of the front end of the walking beam. This, does not interfere with operation of the walking beam since the extension is of a sufficient length that there is ample clearance between the extension and the posts 4 and 5 to permit free operation of the polish rod.

Inthis form of the invention the crossheau.

4'? is mounted between the carriage 38 and the pivotal mounting of thewalking beam, as illustrated in Fig. 5. In order to remove the walking beam from alignment with the center of the well, the rear flange of the vertical posts 4 and 5 are cut away at a point above the curved portions of the tracks to provide passage-ways for the rollers 44 and 45 when they are moved to the upper end of the posts.

The beams may then be moved retractively on the pivotal mounting of the legs 22 and 23 to withdraw the saddle from alignment with the well. The forward end of the beam may then be lowered for support upon the top of the transmission housing or suspended by a suitable cable from the derrick.

In using the preferred form of pumping jack, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the jack is assembled on a' foundation 1 with the seat 63 of the saddle 59 directly in line with the center of the well indicated by the casing 130.

The polish rod 66 which operates through a stuffing box 132 on the upper end of the well tubing 131 is then connected to the T-member 64, the T member having been seated in the seat 63 of the saddle.

The motor is then energized to operate the cranks 82 and 83 to reciprocate the pitmen 89 and 96 for actuating the walking beam upon actuation of tlie'beam. The rollers 44 and 45 will be moved through the curved tracks so that the front end of the beam will move in a perpendicular plane throughout the entire length of the stroke afiorded by the walking beam.

This is accomplished by the curved tracks, since their curvature is arranged oppositely to the are through which the body of the walking beam moves, the curvature of the tracks being walking beam,

"of spaced leg members pivoted on means pivotally connecting one 7 such as to compensate for any tendency of the forward end of the beam to shift from axial alignment with the polish rod.

In the form of the invention, illustrated in Fig. 5, the pumping jack is mounted on the foundation similar to the mounting of the preferred form and the post 11 of the rocker arm is connected by the pull rod 106 with a suitable pumping jack for operating the walking beam.

When it is desired to pull the rods or tubing or to perform other repairs upon the well, the pitmen are removed and the forward end of the walking beam is moved out of the way by raising the beam upwardly between the posts until the cross member 101 engages in the notches .103 formed in the top of the posts 4 and 5, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5.

The modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 operates in the same manner as that shown in the preferred form with the exception that it is not necessary to provide a gin pole, or the like, when pulling the rods or tubing, since this form of pumping apparatus is equipped with a derrick extension supported on the upper ends of the guide posts 4 and 5.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an improved pumping apparatus, wherein the operating end of the beam moves through. a perpendicular plane throughout the entire length of the stroke, so that the polish rod is retained from bending or twisting strains.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a pumping apparatus, a support, a leg member pivoted to one end of the support, a means pivotally connecting one end ofthe walking beam to the leg member, a guide member fixed to the other end of the support for guiding the opposite end of the walking beam, a cam track on the guide member, guide means carried by the walking beam and engaging the track to retain the front end of the beam for movement in a perpendicular plane during operation of the beam, a rod support on the other end of the beam, and means connected with the walking beam adjacent the rod support and independent of said guide means for actuating the walking beam.

2. In a pumping apparatus, a support, a pair the support, a

walking beam, end of the walking beam with the leg members, spaced guide posts supported by the frame at a point spaced from the leg members, cam grooves in the guide posts, rollers carried by the free end of the walking beam and operable in said tracks ment in a perpendicular plane during operation of the beam, rod supporting means on the free end of the walking beam, and an actuator connected to the walking beam at a point between the rod supporting means and said guide posts.

3. A pumping apparatus including a support,

movement of the walking beam, a roller on the walking beam engaging the track'for retaining the free end of the walking beam for movement to retain the front end of the beam for movein a perpendicular plane, a rod support fixed to the free end of the walking beam a cross head clamped to the walking beam adjacent said rod support and spaced from said roller in the direction of said rod support, an operating crank rotatably mounted on the support, and a pitman operably connecting the crank with the cross head for actuating the walking beam.

4. A pumping apparatus including a support, a leg member pivoted at one end of the support, a walking beam, means pivotally connecting one end of the walking beam to the leg member whereby said end of the walking beam is supported for pivotal and longitudinal movement relatively to the support, a guide member fixed to the opposite end of the support for guiding the opposite end of the walking beam, an arouate cam track on the guide member and having its ends leading away from the pivotal mounting of the beam, means carried by the walkingbeam and engaging the track to retain the iron end of the beam for movement in a perpendi ular plane during operation of the beam, a pum rod support on the other end of the walking beam, and means connected to the beam between the pump rod support and said guide member for actuating the walking beam.

5. In pumping apparatus including a support, a leg member pivoted to the support, a walking beam, means pivotally connecting .one end of the walking beam to the leg member whereby said end of the walking beam is supported for pivotal and longitudinal movement on the support, a guide member for the opposite end of the walking beam and having aseat in its upper end, and a cross bar on the walking beam en-,

gageable in said seat to support the front end of the beam when the beam is not in operation.

6. A pumping apparatus including. a support, a leg member pivotally connected with one end of the support, a walking beam, means pivotally connecting one end of the walking beam with the leg member, a guide post supported at the opposite end of the support, a cam track on the guide post, a crank shaft rotatably mounted on the support, a cross head carried by the walking beam at a point ofiset from the axis of the crank shaft in the direction of the other end of I the walking beam, a rod connecting the cross head with the crank shaft, and means on the walking beam engaging the track forefiecting longitudinal movement of the walking beam simultaneously thereof.

7. A pumping apparatus including a support, a leg membervpivotally connectedw'ith one end of the support, a walking beam, means pivoting with. the pivoting movement the support, a cam track on the guide post,

means on the walking beam for engaging the cam track, a crank shaft rotatably mounted on the support between the guide post and said leg member, a cross head carried by the walking beam on theopposi'te side of the guide post, and a rod connecting the cross head with the crank shaft for actuating the walking beam.

8. A pumping apparatus including a support, a leg member pivotally connected with one end of the support, a walking beam, means pivotally connecting one end of the walking beam to the leg member, a guide post supported at the opposite end of the support, a cam track on the guide post, means on the walking beam for engaging the cam track, a crank shaft rotatably mounted on the support between the guide post and said leg member, a cross head carried by the walking beam on the opposite side of the guide post, a rod connecting the cross head with the crank shaft for actuating the walking beam, and an abutment on the walking beam engaging the cross head on the side opposite to the guide post.

9. In combination with a Walking beam, cranks for reciprocating the walking beam, and pitmen connected with the cranks, a cross head mounted transversely on the walking beam, trunnions on the cross head and connected with the pitmen, a clip fixed to the walking beam and having an abutment portion engaging the cross head, an anchoring member secured to the bottom of the Walking beam in offset relation to the cross head, yokes on the cross head, and draw bolts connecting the yokes with the anchoring member for drawing the cross head against said abutment.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a walking beam, means mounting the walking beam for pivotal and longitudinal movement relatively to the support, means carried by the support for guiding the walking beam, cranks on the support, pitmen connected with the cranks, a cross head mounted transversely on the walking beam, trunnions on the cross head and connected with the pitmen, a

I clip fixed to the walking beam 'for engaging the CHARLES M. LIVINGSTON. 

